Simone froze, caught off guard. Instinctively, she protested, "Leon, are you sure you''re not mistaken? Joshua has no grudge against you-why would he try to kill you?"


    Leonard''s reply was strained, each word forced through clenched teeth.


    "He did it for Ste."


    "For Ste?" Simone actually let out a softugh. "Leon, I think you''ve really misunderstood Joshua. Something happened with his family a while back-he was called away to handle it. I heard from people connected to the Gardners that the chaos only just settled down in the past day or two. He hasn''t had a moment to spare, let alonee after you. And besides, what reason would he possibly have to hurt you?"


    Leonard hadn''t expected his sister—who had always trusted him without question to side with an outsider. His anger spiked.


    "You think I''d lie to you?"


    Simone shook her head. "Aurora and I reviewed the security footage from the contract signing. The shooter was positioned in a building across the street, three blocks from the venue, and used a sniper rifle."


    The signing had been with the president of Lythania. The event was crowded and broadcasted live worldwide, but security was airtight-anyone entering the hall underwent rigorous screening. Not a single weapon, not even a sharp object, was allowed inside.


    Security was even stricter than at an airport. Nearby buildings had been swept and locked down one by one to prevent any assassination attempts.


    Simone continued, "Only a top-tier professional could pull something like that off. Joshua just doesn''t fit."


    She paused, as if another thought had just urred to her. "Besides, Joshua sees me as his first love. Why would he go after you?"


    Leonard started to retort, but emotion overtook him. He began to cough violently, his already pale face turning even whiter.


    Seeing this, Simone quickly pressed the call button.


    "Doctor! We need a doctor!"


    Hurried footsteps echoed down the corridor. By the time the medical team arrived, Leonard''s condition had worsened from the emotional shock, and he was rushed into the ICU for emergency treatment.


    ...


    Sandford.


    Not long after Skyler and his son left the hospital, Antoney Watson and Candida Fletcher arrived to check on Ste.


    They''d seen the news online about Ste withdrawing from thepetition, and after reaching out to Abby, learned what had happened. Antoney had flown back from overseas as soon as he heard.


    Seeing Ste lying weakly in bed broke Antoney''s heart. He''d promised his mentor he''d look after her, but he''d failed.


    "Star, your hand..." Antoney''s voice trembled. For a moment, tears welled in his eyes at the sight of her injured hand.


    Ste managed a gentle smile. “Dr. Burton is an excellent surgeon. I''ll be able to handle day-to-day things just fine."


    Day-to-day things... The words caught in Candida''s throat. If Ste could only manage basic daily tasks, did that mean she''d never y the violin again?


    Just then, Ste turned to Candida. "Candida, don''t worry about the studio. I''m not shutting it down. You can keep working there. Consider it my investment project."


    Candida''s nose stung with emotion; she nearly burst into tears. Ste was a once-in-a-generation


    talent-was this really the end for et


    her? What a waste. Anyone who


    knew Ste''s talent would feel the


    same heartbreak.


    "Who was it?!" Antoney''s fists clenched tight, his eyes burning with fury. "Who did this to you?!"


    Ste was silent for a few seconds before she decided to tell him the truth.


    "It was Leonard," she said quietly. "He''s ruthless and dangerous. Be careful around him, promise me."